JimboJames1972
Active Member
- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Hi all,
I've decided that I want to build myself a cyclocross style bike.
I realise that purchasing all the components separately is not always the most economical way. However, my interest in this project are not just to try the cheapest route to another set of wheels. I really want to do it because I get as much enjoyment form tinkering and building as I do from riding, I like to know that what's under me is a little unique (and perhaps a little off the wall rather than off the peg) and I'd like to learn more about bike building. I also want the "I made that" feeling.
My reason for the cyclocross style is that I'm after an all rounder. I'll be using it for some pleasure riding and probably some winter commuting on roads and paved paths, but mainly for chasing Duke of Edinburgh students on footpaths and bridleways. My plan is simply to swap tyres depending on activity - 27(ish) slicks for the roads and 37(ish) nobblies for the rougher stuff. I've tried a Genesis Tour de F for this and it was a pretty good starting point, but I felt it was way too heavy and a long wheelbase suited me better on long cruises on the open road rather than for short bursts on footpaths. I also found the gear shifters on the handlebar ends a real fiddle!
As for the components I'm thinking a carbon frame and forks (internal cables), disc brakes (ideally hydraulic), 16 or 18 gears with 46/36 up front and 11 to ??? on the rear. Gear shifters I'd go for whatever my budget can stretch to. Likewise with wheels and other components.
My budget will probably be about £1500. Of this I'm thinking £400-£600 for a frame (either cheap, unbranded generic or better quality secondhand) and then get the rest as good a quality I can afford. I think I'd rather go for a cheaper frame and blow most of my budget on brakes, gears and wheels so I can swap them up onto my Genesis if I don't get on with a carbon frame or if me needs change. I'm in no real rush to build - I intend to research and build over the summer, and have it road ready for September. Or there abouts.
Any suggestions as to a good starting frame and general advice on how to proceed?
J
I've decided that I want to build myself a cyclocross style bike.
I realise that purchasing all the components separately is not always the most economical way. However, my interest in this project are not just to try the cheapest route to another set of wheels. I really want to do it because I get as much enjoyment form tinkering and building as I do from riding, I like to know that what's under me is a little unique (and perhaps a little off the wall rather than off the peg) and I'd like to learn more about bike building. I also want the "I made that" feeling.
My reason for the cyclocross style is that I'm after an all rounder. I'll be using it for some pleasure riding and probably some winter commuting on roads and paved paths, but mainly for chasing Duke of Edinburgh students on footpaths and bridleways. My plan is simply to swap tyres depending on activity - 27(ish) slicks for the roads and 37(ish) nobblies for the rougher stuff. I've tried a Genesis Tour de F for this and it was a pretty good starting point, but I felt it was way too heavy and a long wheelbase suited me better on long cruises on the open road rather than for short bursts on footpaths. I also found the gear shifters on the handlebar ends a real fiddle!
As for the components I'm thinking a carbon frame and forks (internal cables), disc brakes (ideally hydraulic), 16 or 18 gears with 46/36 up front and 11 to ??? on the rear. Gear shifters I'd go for whatever my budget can stretch to. Likewise with wheels and other components.
My budget will probably be about £1500. Of this I'm thinking £400-£600 for a frame (either cheap, unbranded generic or better quality secondhand) and then get the rest as good a quality I can afford. I think I'd rather go for a cheaper frame and blow most of my budget on brakes, gears and wheels so I can swap them up onto my Genesis if I don't get on with a carbon frame or if me needs change. I'm in no real rush to build - I intend to research and build over the summer, and have it road ready for September. Or there abouts.
Any suggestions as to a good starting frame and general advice on how to proceed?
J
